Weight Loss Before and After

February 3, 2012

Weight loss is one of those frustrating aspects of life. It can be tough and challenging but very rewarding in the end. Unless you were born thin (lucky you) then you will no doubt have struggled with being too heavy at one point in your life. So many of us try dieting and exercising but end up in a yo-yo weight cycle where you may look great for a year and then, suddenly you overindulge at thanks giving and you’re back into that binge eating pattern. There are plenty of options to try, but the truth is, most of us need a good kick up the backside to get started. Once you get your thinspo, the whole process becomes easier if you develop a routine.

Some fat-prone sites like the saddlebags and lower abdomen can be extremely hard to get rid of. If you’ve given your best to lose weight and can’t seem to shed some areas, you can look into liposuction for help. Don’t worry, being cut open is not your only option. There are less invasive choices like fat reduction injections. The thing is, even if you do all the hard work yourself and lose a few sizes, you’re not immune from needing plastic surgery. Once all the inner fat disappears, the outer shell (your skin) needs to shrink back to size to deal with the lost volume. If it doesn’t you may need some tucking. If you’re going to go under, you might as well put your fat to good use and augment other areas such as your butt or breasts through a fat transfer.

If you can’t stand the thought of being suctioned and would like lose the weight more naturally but you have a rather cheeky appetite, then surgical procedures such as gastric bypass and lap band surgery limit the amount of food you can take in. The aim is to reduce the size of the stomach to treat obesity and hopefully cure that never-satisfied hunger.

Before and after photo

Photo #1

David managed to lose a very large amount of weight dieting together with exercise. His life has now changed and he says he will try his hardest to keep the weight off and stay as fit as possible so it doesn’t come back. Well done David and good luck to you.

What should I do before surgery?

Having surgery to lose excess weight is a major decision. There are risks involved and it’s not suitable for all persons. Bariatric surgery should only be considered as a last resort. Prior to even considering an operation, you should at least try to lose weight through exercise and dieting. This way, you can make certain as to whether you need the surgery at all. Many patients who consider this procedure actually take around two years before making the commitment. So your first step should be to actually try to avoid surgery by losing the weight through other means.

Do I need to lose weight before surgery?

This operation is a big deal. Surgeons need to make sure their patients are both mentally and physically ready before embarking on surgical intervention. Whilst you may have been battling obesity for years, you will be asked what methods you’ve tried to lose the weight. If you haven’t taken any steps to attempt weight loss, your surgeon may require you to complete at least a one year medically supervised weight loss program. This is all for your own benefit, so you don’t go to the operating table unnecessarily.

How long does it take to heal?

Many gastric bypass procedures can be done through keyhole surgery (laparoscopic), which is minimally invasive and shortens the recovery time. In this case, you will be required to stay in hospital for about 2-3 days. Most patients take about 3-5 weeks to resume normal activities. If you require open surgery (which requires a large incision) the recovery time will take longer.

How much weight can I expect to lose?

This depends on the procedure. The average weight loss after a gastric bypass is 61%, whereas gastric banding results in about 47%. You will need to help the situation by permanently changing or maintaining a healthy lifestyle after surgery. You will be required to eat small frequent meals, commit to nutrition and exercise frequently. This ensures your best possible chances of losing the most amount of weight and maintaining the benefits in the long run.

Will I have sagging skin?

Sagging skin can become a problem for some patients after rapid weight loss. If the amount of loss is not too drastic, then the skin may be able to settle back in place if it’s still highly elastic (easier in younger patients). For older patients or where the loss in weight is drastic, surgery may be needed to cut away the excess skin and tighten the rest.

Will I be hungry afterwards?

Since you will need to adapt to eating smaller portions, it’s reasonable to assume you would be very hungry after the procedure. However, many patients have almost no appetite for the first six months following the operation. The appetite returns over the next few months, however it’s not that ravenous. If you are getting extremely hungry, it may be psychological or due to the types of foods you’re eating. This is particularly caused by starches such as pasta, rice and potatoes. Increasing protein can help. Also, consult your doctor or surgeon.

Cost

How much weight loss will end up costing you is like asking ‘how long is a piece of string’. It depends on how much effort you’re going to put into it and whether you will be using professional help. The experience can be very cheap if you start eating healthy, get some fitness clothes and start exercising (even walking helps). There will be more expenses if you join a gym or buy your own equipment (like a treadmill). Where you turn to plastic surgery for help, this can end up costing you $10,000 or more. Sometimes insurance will contribute toward the cost.

A gastric bypass can put you out of pocket about $20,000 to $30,000. You may be able to get some of the cost covered by insurance. Some insurance plans may cover the surgery if certain conditions are met. Many require evidence that your primary care doctor has tried to help you lose the weight over a five year plan involving counselling, diet and exercise. Have your doctor document your struggle with obesity.

Opinions

I’ve been told by my doc to lose weight. I’ve been trying for a baby for several years now and my doctor says my weight could be contributing to the problem. I don’t see how being overweight would stop me from getting pregnant. There are so many ‘fat’ mothers out there and I don’t think I’m overly big. Anyway, over the past three months I’ve lost 44 pounds and I’m scared if I conceive that I’ll just put it all back on again. I guess I will just have to risk it. I don’t want to turn to lipo because I believe in doing things naturally.

Submitted by Joanna on March 19, 2012

YouTube video

This YouTube video is of a woman who lost 90lbs (40kgs) with before and after pictures and talks a lot about how to keep the weight off once you’ve managed to successfully lose it. She gives tips on how to set yourself up to succeed.

More before and after photos

Photo #2

Sharif managed to lose altogether 72 kilograms which is almost 160 lbs. He has managed to keep the weight off with regular exercise and dieting. Congratulations Sharif, keep up the good work.

Photo #3

Chris has lost a considerable amount of weight since her desire to become a personal trainer. Ever since becoming a personal trainer she has kept it up and managed to hold back those pounds. Good on your Chris, never let go.

Photo #4

Erik Chopin from biggest loser unfortunately put on a lot of weight after losing it but he can say he got there at least. We wish you luck Erik in losing the weight again, we know it’s hard but you’ve proved to us that you are capable of doing it. Go for it Erik, you can do it again.

Photo #5

This lady claims she lost all her weight just by eating a diet supplement called Acai Berry. This statement is not confirmed but you are free to check it out on the Internet and see if you can find any good reviews about the product.

4 Responses to “Weight Loss Before and After”

Comment from JohnTime February 3, 2012 at 2:21 pm

I’ve been trying to shed the pounds for the past few years, but binge eating is my biggest problem. I do pretty well until it comes to birthdays and Christmas when I start pigging out and just can’t seem to stop. It seem silly that I can eat healthy for months and then suddenly I have one bad day and I just keep going. I’ve considered stomach stapling but I know it’s just will power – if I can eat well for months, I should be able to keep it going.

Comment from SarahTime February 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm

It’s so difficult for me to try and lose weight. I’m so busy with work and three children. I am also considering a gastric bypass but I haven’t really tried to exercise to get rid of the fat. I’ve lost a few pounds by eating a little healthier (less deep fried, more steaming) but I’m scared the surgeon’s just going to tell me to get on a treadmill.

Comment from MichaelTime February 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm

I’ve been obese for many years. I couldn’t stand people staring at me but after a while you just get used to the attention, the stares and the finger-pointing. It’s the name calling that affects you the most. People need to be educated about the difficulties which obese people face. Of course we’d love to be skinny but it’s just not that easy for most of us. In many, the obesity stems from deep seeded emotional issues which need to be addressed first. People who struggle with obesity should have easier access to psychological counselling.

Comment from LindaTime February 3, 2012 at 2:22 pm

I had gastric banding a few years ago. I’ve lost 140 pounds and I feel wonderful. Before the procedure, I tried so many diets and I exercised regularly. Some of us just find it more difficult to lose the weight than others. Having the surgery has means a complete change of lifestyle for me, but I’d never go back. I’m grateful for the support of my family and friends, without them it would have been that much more difficult.

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